M 'J . THE PAINTER OF PARHA; â€" OR. â€" THE MAGIC OF A MASTERPIECE "Oh! you'didi And hmv much had be painted tJiLs ufteinoonS" "I «hnll not tell you." "Why not*" "IBecaasse it is none of your busi- ness." "That meansâ€" he had not touched it! Come, cornel Acknowledge the truth. He hod not touohad a bru&h to tht« canvas I Good heavenM I wbut iire we coming to? Mudelun I MiulelonI I Hm a,st'iniHhed at you I A woinan of your aKeâ€" ael by your tru.sting, confiding nia«ter, to watch over the welfare of the must preci lUB treusure he possessed â€"for you to thu.s wink at such duplic- ity and frau<ll Uh, Madelon, I am a.s- hamed of you I" "Vou are a great, g<K)d-for-nothing, ugly bcitst. Marquis Stcffan(.(I I wink- ed at nothing. I don't know anything alKiut the painting, only that it i.s tjeautiful, even now, with the f;ice not at all finishedâ€" only just begun." The MarquLs. who had drunk wine enough to make him reckless and obli- vious to all social and mom! jiropriety, laughed aloudâ€" laughed until be saw that he was attiiacting the ai tent ion of others, when he restrained liimself ; and shortly thereafter, without furth- er remark, ho lowed to the princess with mock humility, though seemingly polite, and turnod on hb heel and left them. As BiMjn as he ha<l gone beyond hear- ing, the duenna turned upon Isabel u look of unutterable amazement. Holy Mother of heaven I how did he know ?" . "How <liJ he knovf what?" dfuiianded the princess. "That there hadn't been any jaint- ing. Of course I wouldn't have told himâ€" I'd have seen him dead first; but he mu.st have known all the same." "Madelon, what are you talk- ing about? Ua<l you a^ked me ut the btu.lio how much .'^ignor Zanoni h;id painted this afternoon I should have told youâ€" not a bit. He could not liainl. At least he would not go at the work until he had told me alx)Ut the jruss and heartless insult the Manjuis .Stpffano offered him yesterday after we left him." And thereuiKin the girl related to her companion the story as Zanoni h.id told it to her. When .she haal finijih"d â€" hiid told how the arti.st had dLsariiied the Marquis, and how Count iJenaro and t wo others had got him awayâ€" .she went on : "Thi-i led Kignor Zanoni to remark U|Kin the lack of pergonal reseuililance between the two brothers. They were ILS unlike in form nn>l feature as they were in i-hiiracter. he said; and there- U)j<>i1 I a.ske4l him if he had ever heunl the story of tho.se two l)rothers. lie Eaid he never bad, and be a.sked me if I would kindly tell it. I did not wish to refuse,: in tact. I felt tliat he ought to know it." "And thu.s it hapiK'netd. dear uiam- iiia. that when you cauio in the (wiint- ing b'ld not lieen touchi'd ; and of cour.ie you know it was not touched after you joined u.s. Now tell me, Madelon, fiankly, can you see any- thing in the event nl all out of the way ?" "Only, dear girl, in the construc- tion otliers might put ui>on it if they knew." "Aye dear {Mfiidelnn, there it i.s I AVIiy should others know it? They can not, if you hold your [Kvare." "All! but does not Sleffano know it already I" "No," replied the princess eni|diati- cally "lie knou.s not lung at all about it His rem.arks to ynu was but a IkjIcI reckle.sH flingâ€" an insinuation that we weri' abu-ing the lonfidence of the duke, lie woi^ld have .spoken to uio If he had known anything. No, no, Madelon. <liR sure no living per.sun, saving the painter himself and you and I. know the tr«th. Now answer meâ€" and answer me liontstly and sinccrnly â€" wilt y<m be my friend, and .spiak not! a word of this matter to anybody I" The diii'iin t pioMii.si'/d ; and l)efore op- jKntuiiily wa.s offered for further re- mark they had arrived at the palace; and wtiilr they rnlerand remove their tiut-door garlis, let UH lake a look af-i ler the Marquis. There wad a srH-ial organization In I'aruia called the Correggio (Tul>. It was the most exclusive imd mirat popu- lar dull in tlie city ; and the man u ho f;ained membership there considered lim.self extremely fortunate. Origin- all} its iiiemliership had been eonfiniMl to the noliiity and men of high mili- tary renov.n; but after a lime men relehraled in art and in civil affairs of governiin'nt h,id been admitted. The duke liim.self had proposed the name of Juan Zanuni. and he had been elect> »d without iippo.sition. To thi.s club belonged the Maniuis Steffario. lie hid lieen elected before his character had beci^nie getu'rally known. The duke had told him more Ihaii on 'e in tho.se later ilays th.it, were lie not already a mendier he, I ho duke would on no eonsiileiiiliim pro- |Mkse him, .And it, is doublful if ho could have found many among the goiMl anil true who wiiubl have ventur- ed the presentation of his name to I ho l>oard of cenwors. Nevertheless, no one had II.S yet cared lo move for his ex- pulsion. The quarters of the Correggio Club weie in a large and imp<>.sing marble •trui'turo oil the (irand I'lnza, and thither, after he h,id left Ihepiln- ceas and her duenna, he bent his steps, proceeding directly to the piincii)al re- re|d ion-room on entering. Here he re- mained for a little time, chatting with a few individuals of liis acquaintniice who ch.mced to be there, but wilboiit titking a. seat. He hid inquired in the out.sel if Count Denaro had arrived, and had lieen an.swered in the nega- tive. lUy-and-by he went to a glazed dfX)'- in the far coiner of the room and rapped gently on one of thutAnels, and ih re^ixmse a voice from within bade him to enter. It was the office of the superinten- dent of the ruom.s of the club, and the man himself was there, busy, as usual. ".Signor Uuillette, I have come to a.sk u favor." "ino seated, marquis. What oan I do for you 1" "1 wish to look at the record of mem- bership of the club." "Have you the permission of the Iward of cen.sors to do so?" "1 hardly thought it necessary to go to that troul)le. .signor. sinoa I am per- forming the mission at the request of the dukeâ€" my brother," The intendant reflected for a little time, and finiHy arose, and took the volumeâ€" a large folio, heavily bound in boar's hideâ€" from its place of safe-keep- ing, saying as be did so: "You are aware, marquis, that our record of menilwrs is very full and ex- plicit, oixt there are cases in which matters are set down that are not for the public eyeâ€" items of biography that may possibly lie of value in after-years but which the .subject would not wish should lie discussed in oi)en club. You a£sure me that the duke has authoriz- ed you to ask for the book." The calm, delil>erate lie c/ist vSteffano not an effort. It came as natural to him and niussed bis lips as easily as the breath of life. Thus answer in the affirmative was prompt >and assuring. And the book was place<l before him. The marquis, when he had so ilispos- ed of the ponderous volume that he could handle it eiLsily, turned to the page on which appeared his own name. That wa-s eight years liack. He had lieen admitted shortly after arriving at tlie age of twenty-one. There he glanc«d over the closely written lines, but â- Aithout recognizing even a letter, until the intendant h:ul turned to his work. Then, without the slightest rus- tle he turned over the leaves until he had come to the entries of one anil two years agoue. »nd finally his eyes rested U|x>n tike name of Juan Zanoni. He glanced up at the inteiulant. and foun<l him alisorlied in his work. Theu he referred again to the entry in tlie lx)ok before him. and the following were of the items he found there set down : "Age twenty-seven. Place of birthâ€" not sure, but thinlcs C&rtb.i£eina, .Spain." The next item was with regar<l to his parentage. His father, he believed. had been an officer of high rank in Ihn .Spanish army an 1 but l«en kiileil in battle somewli.Mc in the liast. Ilis mo- ther hud been iif Italliin birth, and had Uiught him liei language. Nextâ€" the years of his life, till the age of nineteen, had lieen passed in Spain, mostly at Madrid. Since that lliue he had resiile.l three years in Itoiiie one in Vi nice, another at Mil- an, and the remainder of the time at Parma. There were other items, but no more that interested .Steffano. II was here- in set down who had been his te.ichers in art, tlw length of lime he ha<l given to preparatory study, the suiijecls of what he con.sfdered his best pictures, together with other matters not uecrs- tary to mention. "What is the idea," asked the mar- quis as he gave up the book, "of put- ting in so much of the lives of our members ?" "I think it a very goiKl idea," re- plied the offi.i'il, putting down his jien and leaning back in his chair, 'and 1 can inform you that on more than one occiision the value of those records has been proved. How often it happen.s that a f I iend is taken from usâ€" remov- ed by deathâ€" of whose past life we knew nntliing. I'eihaps he settled am<ing us bite in life, a iuhu uifhoul fdiuily and willumt near relatives, and yet he has become honored. Let us take a sin- gle caseâ€" though we nilial suppose it. Take the [Kiinter, Juiin Zanoni." The marquis cautjht his breath, and shut his hands lightly. The intendant went on, wichoul noticing the effect his winds had produced upim his list- ener. ".Suppose he sbould lie suddenly tak- en away, it would be the desire of the club, a.s it would lie of the public at large thai a biiigraphical .sketch should be published. In fact it is one of our laws tliiit on the death of ,i member the committee having that especial work ill charye ,shall make out and pul>- llsh as full and couiploto a record of the life of the (leeeasdd as the material at hand w ill ixnniit." rftcffaiici thanked the man for the information he had vouchsafed. He .said, further, that he could now under- stand tlie matter, and it met his hear- ty approval. l'"rom the office of the intendant the marquis made his way to one of the upper chimiieis, where games of haz- ard were |)layeil, and foiin I it unoc- cupied. Here he., at down and thought. Ills brow was dark and furrowed, his lilks tightly compressed, his large, cuar.se hands clencln d, while his eyes, with a baleful light, seemed search- ing for something afar off. At last his thoughts found words: " I cannot be mistaken. It is heâ€" alive-^living here in i'arnia, andâ€" heav- ens I liow do I know that he is not on luy track 1 Vet I ilo not think he knows , nie~h« could have never known me. I Though I saw uiid knew him I doubt if be ever set eyes on roe." j Here he liqised into silence foit' H ! time, while he arose from his seati and i [laeed to anil fro .leross the floor. Pre- sently a terrific imprecation burst from Ilis lips and hi:i eyes flashed back ven- geance. ' " The matador betrayed me I" ho mut- ; tered. " He lied to mo I Oh. if 1 coilld but see hi in I Hut to what e.nd ? He would lie attain and 1 should he none the belter off. Ah! Mark I that Khould bu Oenaro's voice. Aye, and so it isl" "Now," smiting bis hand u|)on his breast, " good fortune attend me ! What shall I do? Thia painter is dan- gerous I H» must be put out of the way ut any cost ; and you, my gay and gallant count, must give^me aid. No I I think I cajn find u way." "Guiaeppel" he cried, as the count cnter'ed the rixjm where he was; "I heard your voice and wixa just coming in search of you. You are the very man I wished to see." â- ' Then our wiishes were alike," re- turned JJenaro, as he took the other'^ extended hand. " for you are the very man I have been In search of for half an hour at least." " Well, here we are. and alone, and not likely to be interru|ited before dark." " l>o you realize. Steffano, that it is almost dark even now?" "I faith I so it is. Hut never mind that. Tell me for what yon have been seeking me." The count sat down and brushed his hand acro.ss bis brow and over his eyes. He was evidently in trouble. His brow, usually fair and open, was gloomy and contracted, with deep^mes above the bridge of the nose, the cheeks hotly flushed, and bia lip.s quivering. " Dear Marquis," he snid. when his companion had seated himself by his side. " you must not laugh at me, for I tell you my heart Is sore. Ob. if you could knmv how I love the Princess Isabel I" He was not looking toward his friend, so he did not see the curl of contempt that played around his sensual lips, nor the glenm of hate that shot foc,th from his sinister ej-es. " My love for her." he went on, with a iiassionate wringing of his hands, " has become a madness. If I sbould lose her. I should not prize life an- other hour I" ' 'My deer Guisejipe. you must not lose her. The duke favors j-our suit, and â€" bat my assistance you do not want." "Yes. yes, Steffano!" the count ex- claimed, vehemently. " Your good of- fices may help me much. I know you will give them to me." "Of course I will. Command me in any May you please, and I will serve you if 1 can. And now, old fellow, tell me what is the particular burden on your mind at the present time?" "Steffano," the count returned, af- ter a slight hesitation, as though be ought to feel a.sh:imed of the confes- sion he was about to make. " I saw the princess go into Zanoni's rooms this noon. It WBH but a few minutes past meridian, I know, because I lnoked at my watch. I saw her when she enter- ed the vestibule of the house, and T saw her when she name forth. How long do you sU|i|)08e she remained there?" " Prolmbly most of the afternoon." " Why do you say that ?" "Because I biiw her, with old Made- lon, going toward the palace, just he- fore f came in here, I \*as on th:' o(>- |>osite side of the way. but I saw them very plainly." " Yes. you did 1 And they had just come from the painter's studio. In he.iven's name, marquis, what does it mean f Cnn you believe it possible that she j-an have become infatuated with his pale, hypocritical fare?" "There is one thing I can believe," .Steffano said, looking his companion straight in the eye: "I believe that Juan Zanoni. poor and proud, with am- bition far alxive his station, has his greedy eves fixed upon not only the beautiful princess, but also upon the wrallhy heiress. I have thought bo ere this, ,'inil now I am sure of it. Aye, and f will tell you one thing more; I know I.snbel di Varona. .She is as ro- mantic as she is lovely. She is fond of poetry and |ioets. I verily believe, if Virgil could have lived in our time and she could have known him, she would have thrown herself into his arms If he bad been as old as her grandsire and as ugly as a ghoul I And did you know this painter is a po«-t if I have lieen told that be hiis written verses that have received high commendation from the holy fathers of San Herculanus," ".Steffano! Steffano!" the poor count cried in an agony of torture. "What can I do? Will you advise me ? If we could open the eye.s of Ibe duke I I3ut we can not. He is blind. If thisihing goes (III h). mny get bis picture, but h.' will lose his fair ward," The marquis arose from his seat and look a turn across the room. Kinally he sto])|H'.d before his friend and said: "(juiseppe, it is growing dark, and Ihny will soon be here to light the I iinps. Listen to nie. We must find jiroiif of what we fear. That first, and I lr>n we can act understandingly. 1 have plan in mind. Shall you be at 1 h,^ palace ihis evening?" "Yes. I have an invitation from the duke." " .\ll right. Look to it that you do not fail. No! ,\sk me nothing now. You will see for yourself in good time. " .\nd now. my dear count, let us adjourn to the refectory. Our steward has receive,! a fresh suiiply of our fav- orite Lachrynia Christi, Oho I What a rare old monk he must have been who.se inspiration gave us that name!" (To Be Continued.) MOLD IN CELLAR.':. Perha|ie mold in cellars should be en- couraged as going to show that the Willis are damp, and hence that an un- hujilthy condition of things exists. If, however, it is desired to exterminate the mold, it can I* done by dusting it over with powdered quicklime. If the walls are dry where the mold grow.s, they should first be moistened. After a day his iiassed, the walls may be wH.slied down. It is said that the growth will not a]ipear for two years after ! this treatment. The lime must be powjiered as it comes otit of the barrel, if i/ \n piAWdered by ulaking, it will not oi»(irM«».| 'â- â- ' 11.. ili f.:-,-j. â€" â€"â€" "''"'' ALWAYS WILLING. Btiit't'leâ€" What would you do if a young man was to kiss you against your will t Helenâ€" Oh, pshaw I .Si\ph a thing would be iiiiiio-ssible. FEOM THE LlJfD 0' OAES. INTERESTING NEWS NOTES FROM BONNIE SCOTTISH BRAES. Htrey Rcrap* or Krwi Perfkncd by tli» Heaiber-HHppenlDgs at m Week Told In n Few vronl«. Paisley corporation's new baths cost £10,036, Ayr Carnegie Free Library and site cost £12,126. A Gladstone memorial is to be erect- ed in Olasgorw. HaiUvaya within Troon burgh are as- sessed for £3,581. Mr. Brockije has been elected Pro- vost of Lockerbie.' The fishing in Shetland is reoort- ed light and variable. Paisley favors the overhead system of trolley traction. Donald R. Henry, editor of the Eoss- shlre Journal, is dead. A medal has been offered for a reli- able ascent of Ben NevLs. Paisley is to have six representatives at Bisley this year. Saltcoat's commissioners propose ac- quiring the gas works there. Lanimer Day was celebrated in Lan- ark In old-time manner. A bawlx>e has been taken off the four-pound loaf in Glasgow. As a barley market In Scotland, El- gin ranks next to Edinburgh, During the recent e<pidemic Port- Glasgow had 508 cases of measles. Five big locomotives for the Belgian Government are being built in Glas- gow. , In the Pothead colliery there has The jpFOM rereaue earned by the Glasgow tramways for the year to Sist May last amounted to £SM,U1, and the working expenses to £293,3ift4, leav- ing a balance of £100,617. In the Original Secession church. Ayr, the anniversary of Dmmclog was celebrated by a special service. One of the flags carried at the battle waa displayed in a prominent place. The first sod of the extension of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire railway from Lugton to Cambuslang was cut an June 6th by the Hon. Mrs. Ver- non. In the presence of landowners railway officials, coal-masters aiul traders. The Engineering and Shipbuilding- Federation ^as decided to concede a five per cent, advance In wages to all grades of Clyde shipbuilders, the ad- vance to come into force on August 1st, and to remain in operation for six months. At a meeting of the Aberdeen To>vb Council it was resolved to contribute £2,000 to the guarantee fund of £20.000 required for the International Fish- eries Exhibition next year, and also decided to grant a site on the links for the Exhibition. The feaay bank is quite an insti- tution in Dumbarton. It was founded majiy years ago, and not a few ol those who took the sage advice to take care of the pence have learned habits of thrift that will stand them in good stead so long as they live. Sympathy is felt with the women workers who went to the herring fish- ing at Scrabster and Stromness. The only been one fatal accident in thirty ' eatch has been so small at both years, The severity of the weather has bad a bad effect on the crops about Port- pat rick. Last year Glasgow School Board spent £256.503. The income was £260.- 261. John N. "Weyness, a cattle dealer, well known in the north of Scotland. Ls dead. Shootings In the Highlands are in demand this year and command big rentals. Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India, is ex- pected to arrive at Broomhill in No- vember. Helensburgh commission is prepar- ed to give £Si9,0«0 for the local gas works. places that the women have bad no chance of earning even in some case* what may be regarded as starvation wages. The body of William Howell, a fire- man, belonging to the Shettleston district, has been _ found at the bot- tom of the shaft of the Broombrldge pit, Dennyloanhead, in a frightfully mangled condition, and it is supposed that Howell must have thrown him- self down the shaft. AGONIZING PAINS. Kadared by Thimr Wbo MalTrr From 8cUt> Ira-A VIrtIn Trlln How lo ObUIn Urltrt. i-> lu -.1, 1 « Proliably no trouble that afflicts oallceith is to erect a lamp and mankind causes more intense agony annking fountain in memory of the ^ (h^n sciatica. Frequently the victim poet Bums. ^ jj, utterly helpless, the least movement N\ ilham Black, wool sorter, a well- ' causing the most agonizing pains, known character in Jedburgh, is dead. I Those who are suffering from this mal- aged 90 years. ady the following stateinent from Mr. n »...!(. _ * D \r â- r» . • ' John Hayes, of Uayesville, York Co- D. Bryden of Ross Mams. Dumfries- | j, g ^..>, *^i„^ ,^,> ^^^ '^.j.^,;^, .^^J shire, was dangerously bitten in thai cure. Mr. Hayes .says:â€" "For upward face by a horse. | „f , evenly years I have suffered from Greenock and Port-Glasgow Tram- I weakness and pain in the back. Some ways Company are contemplating the ' f"""" i"'^" â- *«" "^^ trouble was inten- introduction of electricity ; sified by .Sciaticji settling in my right Tk,..-. „,„ i'<jo .• . . L .» . i leg. What I suffered seems almost tie- There ,^re (.39 ,«tient» in the Mont- ; ,„« j ,,escripiiou. I employed three rose AsUum. The grounds are to be doctors but all to no purpose: I had to enlarged and the buildings Imiiroved. B've up work entirely and almost des- At Rolhes. in .Morayshire, the money ' P" ''â- «'' "^ "'''â- ,, P.'" cixntinued for two t.ia,.,.>.i :„ „ I ..1 . . , . 1 yearsâ€" years filled with misery. At placed in a bottle under a foundation , this time I was advis* to try Dr. stone became the plunder of burglars. Williams' Pink Pills, and after using J. Smith, Brae Farm. Pitfodels, sue- I ^'^ lK)xes liolh the sciatica and the ceeded in suiciding in the second at- i "'â- "^""â- â- ''* '° "'^ ^*^^ which had ten,. I K„ .h.. ~ â- u- ,, â- , . .\ troubled me so long, were gone. I was tempt b> Ihrowuig himself in front of | again a well man and feeling fifteen a train. Piper Findlater does not think It pills. years younger than before I began the better to lie a gatekee|ier at Balmoral since I discontinued the use of than a dweller on the stage at the ];^/'".':â„¢l' }.1'°H i7'„''';..?:i;!,.!"K',^J'!;/. Empire. Leith is satisfied with the Spanish- American war. It has greatly in- creased its import trade with the Ignited States. An Aberdeen steamer has sighted the annual sea ser|>ent. It was 115 feet in length, 30 feet being heail and the remainder tail. An association has been formed to Iirotect fishing in the Oala at Stow. An nbumlant fruit crop is expected In Alyth district. In Perthshire the weather has at last consented to " tak' a thorht an' mend." almn.st tropical heal having been experienced lately. An unknown gentleman has volun- teered to build the second block of consumidion hospitals at Bridge of Weir, at a cost of £8,000. The postman for Eastbnirn dis- trict is now provided with a hiryelc. which enaliles him to deliver letters to farms hitherto exempt. The directors of Mu.«hels Iron Works. Palkeith, finding that the liusine,ss cannot be profitably carried on have resolved to wind up the com- pany. " I.4ick of little common 8<>nse " is Nearly two years has passed Dr. ime no symptom of the trouble has shown itself. Under God I thank Wr. Wil- liams' Pink Pills for what they have done for me." Mr. llaye.s voluntarily testified to the truth of the aliove statement be- fore F.dward Whosead, Esq,, J. P., .ind his statements are further vouched for by Rev. J. N. Biirnee, of Stanley, N.B, HUMAN ALLIGATORS." According to the mail news from the west coast of Africa, a " human alli- gator" society infests the liauks of the Kill am Boom River. Fishermen and boatmen have been enticed from their canoes, by the members of the society, who, after murdering them and steal- ing their belongings, feasted on their btKlies. One man who was enticed on- to the river bank, when fallen on by the " bumiin alligators," killed one of his assailants and wounded two oth- ers, but was eventually himself killed and eaten, excepting one of his legs, which was found in the river and iden- tified by some niarka ujion it. So com- mon were the outrages becoming in the district that the attention of the au- thnrilipH wa!4 tieing drawn to the mat- ter. IN(X'T'LATKl) BY BEE-STINGS. .According to the results of an inquiry the reason given for the falling throiipb ! among the liee-keejie rs of Germany, hu- c)f the negotiations for a union of the Free and V P. kirks at Dumfries, Donald MrPherson, a Nairn hotel- keeper, recently deceased, claimed the proud distinction of having been initiated into the mysteries of ang- ling by .Tohn Bright. To Gladstone's raolher belongs the honour of having or!ginnte<l Sahluilh scbiKiIs in the Highlands, the first Sati- bath sch(Sil in Dingwall having been conducted by her. Langholm has been presented with a dozen seats to be placed on the surrounding roads, but the Duke sa^vs he would prefer to make all seats to be placed on his ground. While four tiumiieters in the Forfar and Kincardine Militia were bathing at Foresands, two of themâ€" Edward Noble and Taylorâ€" swam out a dis- tance of thirty yards in n pretty rough sea, aud Nolile was drowned. man beings may acquire immunity from the effects of bee-stings simply by lieiiig stung a sufficient number of times. In some cases 3!) slings suffice to impart the desirable immunity; in other cases as miny as lOO stings must b« endured tiefoie the victim ceases to suffer .serious inconvenience from the attack of liees. Occasionally a iierson Is found who is naturally immune to the effects of liee-.stings, while others are not able to acquire immunity by any amount nf heroic experience. WORK AND WAGES. Housekeeper â€" Lookee here I You are charging me two dollars tor that whitewashing joli, and yet it isn't .six months since you did thei same job tor halt that. Colored Artistâ€" Yes'm, but you know cheap wo'k U po' wo'k; an' I did dat job so bad do las' lime dat it done t(K)k me twice as long ter do it dia time. \ ! > â- ' <iim'^smi»m